A Jekyll and Hyde Tyrone team have neither promotion nor relegation on their minds this weekend, but Peter Canavan expects his native county to have a huge say in who does return to the top flight.
Tyrone host Cork in Omagh on Sunday, with victory or a draw guaranteeing the Rebels a return to the top flight.
The Red Hand team is one in a state of flux and that has been all too evident on the field of play, not least in last Saturday night's Croke Park encounter against Meath.
The Royals led by 12 points at one stage before a spirited Tyrone comeback saw the buffer reduced to two points, with Robbie Brennan's side eventually prevailing by 3-24 to 2-22.
Canavan sees comparisons between his own county and Cork, telling listeners of the RTÉ GAA Podcast: "They can be very good at times, but they have a real unpredictable nature. That has been Tyrone this league campaign as well.
"There were times last Saturday night in Croke Park where they looked as if they were going to be blown out of the water, that Meath was going to win that game by about 20 points.
"Then they win a few kickouts, there is urgency about their play, they get some great scores and lo and behold there are two points in the game with five or six minutes to go.
"There has been a wee bit of everything from Tyrone.
"Would it be a massive shock if Cork beat them? It absolutely wouldn't.
"If you look back over the last few years, the amount of times Cork have been able to put it up to Kerry when a lot of teams can't get close to them, Cork always appear to be able to give them a game but then they are liable to go out and produce a poor performance against lesser opposition.
"Tyrone need to show something here. They're playing at home and it's about a performance.
"I don't think the result will mean much. It will mean more to Cork, obviously getting promoted, and Cork only need a point."
Tyrone will face Armagh in the preliminary round of the Ulster championship in just three weeks' time and the pundit believes an uptick in their form is on the way.
"Tyrone need a good performance here to give them a bit of belief and they have been struggling and a lot of young lads have come in and it's been difficult for them," Canavan said.
"Training has been going well by all accounts, but we need to see it on the pitch."
Canavan went on to tip a Tyrone upset victory over Cork and an unlikely promotion for Derry to the top flight.
"I've a sneaking suspicion that it's going to be Derry," he said, with the Oak Leafers also needing to uphold their end of the bargain against Cavan.
"For that to happen Tyrone need to play well, and I'm expecting that. I'm expecting a big performance from Tyrone.
"If they can play well and get the victory over Cork, that opens the door for Derry.
"Tyrone always love to help out Derry in any way they can," Canavan quipped, before adding: "If they have a poor last five minutes against Cork, we know what it is."
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